Guide to Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs)
contents what is a WAV? 3 is a WAV or you? 4 how the Motability Car Scheme works 6 things to think about 8 WAVs that wheelchair users can drive 11 next steps: getting your WAV 13 requently asked questions 15 sources o inormation & advice 17 checklist 18 Got a question?ask Mo Mo is our online virtual assistant who can answer any queries that you may have about the Car Scheme. Go to our website www.motability.co.uk, click on the Ask Mo button on the right hand side o your screen and type your question. Still stuck? Call our Customer Services team on: 0845 456 4566 Steps to getting your WAV This guide has been produced in association with Ricability, the independent research charity, to help you through the process o choosing a WAV. The main steps are: 1. Gather inormation 2. Draw up a shortlist 3. Test drive! We re here to help! We want you to maximise your mobility by getting the right WAV or you, and we hope this guide helps. We ve worked with Ricability to produce actsheets or some o the most popular conversions available through the Motability Scheme. You can download these rom the WAV pages on www.motability.co.uk. For more inormation, call our customer sevices team on 0845 456 4566. 2 contents
what is a WAV? Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles widely known as WAVs are vehicles that have been converted so that you can travel in them while remaining seated in your wheelchair either as a passenger or driver. As part o the huge selection o over 4,000 vehicles available to lease through the Car Scheme, Motability now oers a choice o over 500 dierent WAVs, so there s likely to be one that suits your needs. The vast majority o Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles are converted so the wheelchair user travels as a passenger, however some have been converted so that wheelchair users can drive them see page 11 or more inormation on these conversions. What s more, these days WAVs look good. From the outside you can t tell that they have been converted. Most are so well itted out that the trim and inish match the original vehicle. Travelling as a passenger in your wheelchair, you will usually sit behind the ront seats, although in some models you can sit next to the driver. All WAVs have room or at least one other passenger as well as the wheelchair user and driver. Some models have more seats, so i you travel with a lot o people there will still be a WAV or you. A ew even have room or more than one wheelchair. did you know? A WAV is a standard vehicle that has been converted by a specialist company so that a wheelchair user can travel in it while remaining in their wheelchair. Manuacturers such as Vauxhall, Renault, Fiat and Peugeot produce standard vehicles suitable or conversion. what is a WAV? 3
is a WAV or you? I you ind transerring rom your wheelchair into a standard car and storing your wheelchair diicult, then a WAV might be right or you. While a WAV may solve any issues you have with transerring rom a wheelchair, this convenience may mean compromising on the travelling experience and eatures you have been used to rom a standard car. The driver may ind that a WAV is dierent to the kind o car that they may be used to, and that they need to adapt their driving style to help make sure the wheelchair passenger is sae and comortable. However, WAVs oer many o our customers the chance to regain their independence and enjoy the reedom that a new car gives. Choosing a WAV means there is no need or hoists, and staying in your wheelchair may be more comortable than using a car seat. And i you can t transer, a WAV may be the key to being ree to travel where you like. Once you ve considered the potential beneits and drawbacks o a WAV compared to a standard car, and decided a WAV is or you, it s time to draw up a shortlist o suitable WAVs. To help you do this, Motability have produced actsheets that contain independent measurement inormation or each o the most popular conversions on the Scheme. However, each specialist company oers slightly dierent conversions, so the same vehicle may suit you when converted by one company but not by another. The golden rule is to try out a number o WAVs until you ind the one that suits you best. 4 is a WAV or you?
alternatives to WAVs I you ind transerring easy and you have no diiculty stowing your wheelchair, a standard car may still be your best and simplest choice. We oer a wide range o adaptations that can help tailor a standard car to suit your speciic needs. Our guide, Make it Yours, helps to explain the basics and where you can ind out more inormation. You can download this rom our website, or call 0845 456 4566 to order your ree copy. Aids to help you transer in and out o an ordinary car and store your wheelchair include: who s who? Converter: Specialist company that converts vehicles to make them accessible or wheelchair users. Your converter will also be responsible or any service and/or maintenance required or conversion items. Dealership: You will be allocated a managing dealer who will be responsible or providing the routine servicing on behal o speciic manuacturers. Rootop Stowage Boot Stowage Swivel Seats Rootop Stowage A hoist system can lit and store your wheelchair in a protective box on the roo. Boot Stowage Hoists to lit your wheelchair to the level o the boot, or additionally, move it in or out. The type o hoist required will depend on the size and weight o your wheelchair. Swivel Seats Swivel seats swing out o the car to make access easier. With any o these alternatives, it s important to think about the places where you normally park your car, as this could aect the type o adaptation you will need. For example, a rootop stowage system may mean that you are no longer able to park in underground car parks or spaces where there might be height restrictions. With boot stowage or a swivel seat, you will need to consider how much space you will need around the vehicle in order to get in and out and load the vehicle saely. did you know? Motability oers a hassle-ree approach to adaptations some are even available at no extra cost. You can order them through your dealer at the same time as your car, so that when you collect your new Motability car it is perectly tailored to your needs. You can ind out more about adaptations including prices and where your nearest installer is located on our website, www.motability.co.uk. is a WAV or you? 5
how the Motability Car Scheme works With a choice o more than 4,000 vehicles, including over 500 WAVs, anybody who receives the Higher Rate Mobility Component o the Disability Living Allowance, or the War Pensioners Mobility Supplement can lease a car or WAV through the Motability Car Scheme. WAV agreements are usually or ive years and you get a mileage allowance o 100,000 miles over the course o the agreement. We are committed to oering aordable solutions across our range o WAVs. However, the more highly speciied a WAV is, the higher advance payment will be. Our online Searchable Price Guide allows you to search or WAVs by various dierent options, including make and model, and maximum advance payment visit www.motability.co.uk. did you know? Nearly all WAV converters will bring the vehicle to you so that you can try it out without obligation. You don t need to worry where the converter is based; they oer a national service. Plus, all servicing is included in the lease package, with nearly all the servicing carried out locally by ranchised dealers or the manuacturer. 6 how the Motability Car Scheme works
Depending on the model, you can also choose rom a range o optional extras. You pay the converter directly or these; separately rom your Motability agreement. Financial Help I you need a vehicle with a particular speciication o eatures and you can t aord it, Motability may be able to help. Motability administers the Government s Specialised Vehicles Fund which provides inancial help or disabled people who need a converted or heavily adapted vehicle, including WAVs. Last year the Fund helped over 1,400 customers with the costs o large or complex WAVs, including over 200 customers driving rom their wheelchairs. The amount o any inancial help will depend upon your personal and inancial circumstances. For more inormation on inancial assistance, call our Customer Services team on 0845 456 4566. As with all cars available through Motability, WAVs come with an all-inclusive, worry-ree package including insurance, servicing and maintenance and RAC breakdown cover. Motability Standards Companies wishing to supply WAVs through Motability have to meet rigorous standards or each o their conversions in order to be accredited. For more inormation about leasing a car with Motability and current prices see our website www.motability.co.uk, or call our Customer Services team on 0845 456 4566. advance payments explained An advance payment is a one-o payment made at the start o your lease. The advance payment is the dierence between the amount your allowance covers over the ive year agreement period and the overall cost o the WAV. The amount o the advance payment depends on the WAV you choose vehicles that are either larger or more heavily converted, generally have a higher advance payment. However, we are committed to oering aordable solutions to meet the speciic needs o our customers across our range o over 500 WAVs. how the Motability Car Scheme works 7
things to think about When it comes to choosing a WAV, there are many eatures available that can help to improve your motoring experience. Some will come as part o the conversion, and some will be optional extras that you will need to pay or. It s well worth investing the time now to see what is available and whether these eatures will make driving easier or more enjoyable. Here are some key eatures and other things to think about when choosing the right WAV or you. I you re thinking o choosing a WAV that you can drive rom your wheelchair, you will ind more detailed inormation on page 11. Getting in and out WAVs are itted with either a ramp or a lit, and access will either be rom the side or the back o the vehicle. Consider how and where you will be getting into the vehicle to ensure it its your liestyle. Ramps: These tend to be the standard entry method or most WAVs and, with practice, are simple to use. Some ramps have counterweights or springs to make them easier to old in and out. The angle and length o the ramp is important, and some ramps also allow or the slope o the ramp to extend into the vehicle to Folding Ramps 8 things to think about
make the angle less steep, allowing or easier entry. You should always check that your carer is conident in using the ramp and is able to get you up and down it saely, especially when the WAV is parked on a slope. Never choose a manual ramp unless the person who is likely to have to use it has tried it out. I they have trouble pushing your wheelchair up the ramp, an electric winch may be a help. Lits: Some larger WAVs can be itted with a lit to help you in and out o the vehicle. A lit can be useul i your partner or carer has trouble pushing you up a ramp into your WAV. However, lits are usually more expensive, so your advance payment may be higher. Basic conversion eatures Lowered loor: Many WAVs have a lowered loor, giving you more head room and reducing the angle and length o the ramp. However, this means that the ground clearance will be less, so i you regularly travel over roads with speed humps you will need to make sure that this does not pose a problem or you. A lowered loor usually means that the uel tank needs to be replaced, oten reducing its size or changing its shape. This can mean your WAV will need to be illed up with uel more regularly and may aect the unctioning o the uel gauge. Ask your converter or a likely indication o running costs. Some vehicles have a lowering rear suspension that can be used to reduce the angle o a ramp and allow or easier access. This can be operated rom a button based at the rear o the vehicle or by remote control. Raised roos: Instead o lowering the loor, some vehicles have raised roos to give you more head room. I you opt or a conversion Lits Lowered Floor Raised Roos with a raised roo, think about where you usually park and make sure that the height o the vehicle will not become a problem or you. Where are you likely to park? You have to allow space or the ramp or lit. Would a smaller vehicle make this easier? I you will get in and out o your WAV in areas where there are no pavements, a ramp or lit at the rear is likely to suit you better. In towns where parking is very limited would a lit or ramp at the side be better? Consider the height o the WAV and where you regularly park, especially i you oten park on the street or use multi-storey car parks with space restrictions. Inside the WAV Your seated position: In most WAVs, the wheelchair passenger will sit behind the ront seats or towards the back o the vehicle. However, there are a ew conversions that allow you to sit beside the driver. I this is important to you, then check the seating layout o the WAV you are considering on our online actsheets or check with your converter. Consider whether your partner or carer will need to access you during journeys and check that the seating layout is suitable. Saety Once your wheelchair is in place, all WAVs have a system to secure it and a specially designed seat belt to keep you secure. Travelling in your wheelchair in a WAV may mean that you do not have the same support that you are used to rom a standard car seat. You will get used to this in time, but some people may ind this puts them o. As the wheelchair user remains in their wheelchair, it is likely that they could be at a dierent height to other passengers, so both visibility and conversation will be dierent rom when seated in a standard car seat position, especially i the wheelchair passenger is seated towards the back o the WAV. Folding Seats things to think about 9
It is also important to think about the temperature and climate control within your WAV. Air conditioning comes as standard on many WAVs, but i you are sensitive to temperature you may ind that the heating and/or ventilation in larger WAVs is not suicient or your needs. Some converters oer the option o additional heating and air conditioning ocused on the rear o the vehicle this will generally be at an additional cost, however i it aects your comort it is worth considering Where you sit also makes a dierence to who you are able to talk to easily. I you are too ar back or at a dierent level rom other passengers, it might be diicult to talk, particularly i there s a lot o background noise. Check this out on your test drive. Room or your wheelchair? Your carer or partner will need to be able to get the wheelchair into the vehicle without any tight manoeuvres that may be diicult to do or might cause signiicant damage to the vehicle s ittings or your wheelchair. You should have no problem with a small or medium size wheelchair. Larger wheelchairs or scooters may be diicult in smaller vehicles. To be sure, check the width o the wheelchair channel in your WAV at the narrowest point against the width o your wheelchair at its widest point. I you have a long chair, or sit in it with the leg rest elevated, check that there is enough space when the wheelchair is secured in place. I you think that you may need to change your wheelchair during your lease, consider how this might aect your choice o WAV. Our online WAV actsheets, available at www.motability.co.uk, can tell you how much room there actually is in some o the most popular WAVs available through Motability. How many passengers? All WAVs have room or at least one passenger as well as the wheelchair user and driver. Some vehicles have rear seats designed to old up out o the way to make room or the wheelchair These can be easily olded back again an advantage i the vehicle is used by several people. On most WAVs you can have a third seat itted in the rear. On some models this seat will be quite narrow suitable or children or or adults on a short journey. Test their size and comort when you try out the vehicle. I you need to it child seats in your WAV, you should take them with you during any test drives and check that the seats are suitable or this purpose. Room or luggage? Consider the equipment that you need to take with you when you travel, and think about any extra luggage you may want to carry. Some vehicles have useul lockers and shelves or small things. Otherwise bear in mind that loose luggage can be dangerous i the vehicle brakes suddenly. Car accessory shops sell tie down systems and, i you need to carry a lot o luggage, think about a roo top box. did you know? Our customer research could help you avoid some o the problems our current WAV customers have experienced. 43% chose the irst WAV they saw, and yet 47% suggest problems could have been avoided i they had taken more time at selection. 29% o customers also say that they will do more research to get the right WAV next time. Only you can tell whether a speciic WAV is right or your needs. Taking the time to research and consider all o your options will help to ensure that you have ive years o happy motoring. 10 things to think about
WAVs that wheelchair users can drive WAVs that you drive rom your wheelchair give you an even greater level o independence. All have the automatic eatures needed to be able to get in and drive completely independently. There are two main conversion types: either the WAV will acilitate easy transer to a standard/adapted seat; or the vehicle can be driven directly rom the wheelchair. Transer conversions are generally a cheaper and easier option i you are capable o transerring unaided, or i the vehicle is oten driven by other people. Both types o conversion will need an automatic anchoring systems to secure your wheelchair. These will be designed around you and your wheelchair as part o your assessment. Because these conversions have the eatures you need to drive independently, they are more expensive and you may wish to consider applying to Motability or inancial assistance. To ensure the vehicle is tailored to your individual needs, you will need to have an assessment, particularly i this is the irst time you have driven one o these conversions. I you are awarded a grant rom Motability, this assessment will be provided ree o charge. With most WAVs converted or wheelchair drivers, you press a button on a remote control to gain access, either through lowering the suspension and unolding the ramp, or through the operation o a lit. WAVs that have been converted or wheelchair users to drive them, will have ewer rear seats than passenger WAVs because they need a clear wheelchair route rom the point o entry to the driving position. Custom itted controls Most, but not all, wheelchair drivers need some orm o driving adaptations at a minimum this usually includes hand controls. These, and the system used to secure your wheelchair in the driving position, will be tailored or your individual needs. WAVs that wheelchair users can drive 11
Adaptations are not included in the price o your WAV, and while many hand controls come at no extra cost when ordered as part o the Motability Managed Adaptations Programme, or others you will need to add this into the cost o your WAV. Many simple adaptations can make a signiicant dierence in the comort and ease o your driving experience, and you re very likely to ind something to suit you. Your assessment will tell you which driving adaptations you need. Motability may be able to oer inancial help towards the cost o adaptations. For more inormation, call our Customer Services team on 0845 456 4566. Room or Passengers All WAVs come in a range o sizes and layouts you need to make sure it has the passenger capacity to suit your needs. Some WAVs converted or wheelchair users to drive come with the option o interchangeable seats to allow a carer or partner the option o also being able to drive it. Tailored to your needs As you might expect, these conversions are more complicated and have to be tailored to suit each individual. This means the advance payment will be higher. I you cannot aord this, and it is the best solution or you, Motability may be able to arrange a grant towards this payment. The size o the grant would depend on your inancial and personal circumstances, and it may not cover all o the advance payment you would be expected to contribute as much as you can aord. I you apply or inancial assistance towards one o these specialist WAV conversions, Motability will provide a ree assessment. This assessment will identiy suitable vehicles and controls. An advisor will discuss options with you, ind out what controls you may need and what other requirements you have. With the help o the advisor you should be able to identiy the most appropriate solution or you. At this initial assessment the advisor may well bring a demonstration vehicle or you to try getting in and out and get a eel or whether it may suit you. I the controls and wheelchair anchoring system are suitable you may be able to give it a test drive. An adaptation specialist will it the WAV with the controls and wheelchair securing system you need. You will need to go to one or two ittings to ine tune these settings. These are usually carried out at the supplier s workshop where all necessary equipment is on hand. Motability may be able to help with transport. The Forum o Mobility Centres has details o driving instructors who are trained in teaching people to drive with adaptations, or who are returning to driving ater a long gap. You ll ind a list o all Motability approved WAV converters on our website, www.motability.co.uk. For inormation on how to apply or these types o WAV conversions contact the Motability Customer Services team on 0845 456 4566. Because conversions to allow wheelchair users to drive require individual tailoring, it is very unlikely that you will be able to test drive them. You will, however, be able to see i the size o the WAV suits you during a demonstration. 12 WAVs that wheelchair users can drive
next steps: getting your WAV The most important advice in this guide is to try out any WAV you are seriously thinking about. This guide can begin to explain the options, highlight things to consider and provide a ramework or your checklist. However, the only way to tell i a particular WAV will suit your needs is to try it out. Gather inormation With over 500 WAVs available to lease rom Motability, there are more WAVs to choose rom than you might think. There s lots o inormation around to help you ind the right one. Use this guide as a starting point to decide what you really want rom your WAV. As you get to the stage where you need more inormation, or i you have very particular needs or unusual questions, contact the Motability Customer Services team who will be able to put you in touch with someone who can help. Alternatively, the Forum o Mobility Centres oers expert, unbiased advice. Talking to other WAV owners is likely to be a real help Mobilise, an organisation o disabled drivers should be able to put you in touch with someone in your area, you can ind their contact details on page 17. WAV converters will be happy to provide details o the vehicles they convert, and nearly all have details on their websites too. Converters are a valuable source o inormation as they are likely to know rom experience how most problems can be solved. getting a WAV 13
Draw up a shortlist This guide should help you make a list o your requirements and using the sources o inormation you should be able to draw up a shortlist o suitable WAVs. The actsheets on each o our most popular WAV conversions should enable you to narrow down your choice. You can use our Searchable Price Guide at www.motability.co.uk to search or WAVs by advance payment as well as by vehicle details. Nearly all converters that supply Motability have a nationwide service, so aim to ind the most suitable vehicle rather than conine your search to the converters who are nearest to where you live. Contact a converter and arrange a test drive Having thought about what you need, and identiied some vehicles that may be suitable, the next stage is to test drive any WAV that you are seriously considering. Test drives are the only way to check i a WAV will meet your individual requirements and customer experience tells us that there s no substitute or having a test drive to see how one WAV compares to another. Converters expect you to do this and will bring a demonstration vehicle to your home or you to try. There is no obligation, and you should not eel under any pressure. Try more than one vehicle so you can compare them beore you make a decision. It is also very important to involve your partner, carer or whoever will be driving the WAV. They need to be happy driving the vehicle and conident that they will be able to operate eatures such as the ramp. Take along any equipment, mobility aids or child seats that you need the WAV to accommodate to ensure it its all your needs. Make sure you try out each vehicle or long enough. Try it over the type o routes you are likely to use, with anyone who is likely to travel with you. Park and get in and out o the vehicle several times. Don t worry about how long this might take the converter understands that the test drive needs to be long enough to tell whether the vehicle will meet your requirements. things to consider during your test drive Can the wheelchair passenger get in and out with ease? Is your partner/carer able to use eatures, such as a ramp, with ease? Are they able to secure your wheelchair within the vehicle? What is the driving/riding experience like? Are you and your passengers comortable? Is there enough room or you and your amily? Is there enough space or luggage? Can you see out clearly? Is there enough headroom? Can you have a conversation with ease? What eatures and aspects o the conversion will improve your travelling experience? What are the next steps? This guide aims to help you understand a little more about what to look or when choosing your WAV. With around 20 specialist companies converting more than 20 standard vehicles, there s likely to be a WAV to suit you. To assist you in your choice, it will help to: Contact converters and visit their websites or inormation on their WAV conversions Use our online Searchable Price Guide at www.motability.co.uk to see which WAVs it your budget Arrange or several test drives to help you compare WAVs. 14 getting a WAV
requently asked questions Where can I get a WAV rom? You can go direct to any converter approved by Motability visit www.motability.co.uk or details. How much does a Motability WAV cost? While we are committed to aordable solutions across our range o over 500 WAVs, advance payments will vary depending on the vehicle you choose and how it is converted to meet your speciic needs. I you have opted or any optional extras, you pay the supplier or these directly. Servicing and maintenance costs, as well as breakdown cover and insurance are all included as part o your Motability lease package. How do I know which WAV will suit me? This guide should help to highlight the areas that will aect your decision. However there are many sources o independent inormation why not contact a Mobility centre? Converters approved by Motability will help identiy the right vehicle or you, (see page 17). But most important o all try out any vehicle you are considering. All converters will arrange a test drive or you. What i I need to change my wheelchair? Planning or change is never easy, however i you think you may need to change your wheelchair during your ive year lease try to anticipate how this may alter your requirements will you need a larger entry space or more room in the vehicle or instance? This is particularly important i the wheelchair user is a child. How do I know which conversion companies are closest to me? It s more important to ind the right vehicle than the closest supplier, and nearly all converters who supply Motability WAVs operate nationwide. You can ind out where our converters are by using our Find a Dealer tool at www.motability.co.uk. Once I have contacted the conversion company, should I stay with them? To ensure you make the right choice o WAV or your needs, we recommend trying out more than one vehicle. Motability accredited conversion companies will not put you under any pressure to buy, and all will bring you a vehicle to try without obligation. requently asked questions 15
Can I get help towards the cost? I you need a WAV with an advance payment that you cannot aord, Motability may be able to help. Using the Government s Specialised Vehicles Fund, Motability was able to help 1,400 customers to get a WAV last year. Call Motability s Customer Services team on 0845 456 4566 or more inormation. I am part way through my current Motability vehicle contract but need a WAV now, how do I resolve this? Call Motability s Customer Services team on 0845 456 4566 or inormation on how to do this. There may be a ee i you do end the contract early. When will I get my new WAV? Delivery can take between 12 and 16 weeks ater the application. However this will vary, ask the converter or details o delivery time on the speciic model you are interested in. How do I get adaptations or my WAV? I you ve chosen a WAV converted to be driven by a wheelchair user, your driving assessment will recommend what adaptations you will need. Your converter may be able to it these, or alternatively will be able to recommend an adaptations specialist. I you qualiy or inancial assistance these arrangements will be taken care o by Motability. I you do not have an assessment, but think adaptations may help, contact the Forum o Mobility Centres or more inormation and advice. Will the adaptation irm come out to me or will I need to go to them? In most cases you will have to go to them or itting and ine tuning. Motability may be able to help with transport. What i my WAV needs servicing? You should book your service in plenty o time and ask your managing dealer i they are able to arrange a collect and deliver service. I you need your vehicle back by a speciic time, make sure your dealer is aware, and let them know i there are any speciic requirements. What i my WAV is o the road or any reason? Due to the specialist nature o WAV conversions, we are unlikely to be able to provide a replacement. However, we will work with you to identiy a solution to try to keep you mobile or the period you are without your vehicle, or example, help with taxi ares may be provided. 16 requently asked questions
sources o inormation & advice Motability You ll ind all the latest inormation, including actsheets giving speciic inormation on WAV conversions and prices, on our website www.motability.co.uk. Our Customer Services team may also be able to help, you can contact them on 0845 456 4566, Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.30pm. (Calls may be recorded and monitored to improve customer service). Forum o Mobility Centres The Forum o Mobility Centres is a charitable network o centres providing driving assessments and useul inormation. There are Mobility Centres across the UK, visit www.mobility-centres.org.uk or call 0800 559 3636 or more inormation. Converters A list o contact details or all Motability accredited converters can be ound on our website. There is also a list o all drive rom WAV converters that you can view and download. Use the Find a Dealer search on our website or more inormation and to pinpoint the converter you want. www.motability.co.uk. Mobilise A member organisation that promotes the welare and personal mobility o disabled people, drivers and non-drivers. Visit www.mobilise.ino, or call 01508 489 449. Ricability Independent research charity that produces practical printed and online guides or disabled people. Visit www.ricability.org.uk or call 020 7427 2460. sources o inormation & advice 17
checklist Getting in and out Is the ramp or lit easy enough to use by the person most likely to operate it? Is there enough room or you to get in and out without tight manoeuvring? Is it easy to attach the wheelchair anchoring devices and tighten them? Does the seat belt it comortably around the wheelchair occupant? Can the person most likely to push your manual wheelchair cope with the angle o the ramp and any slope in the loor? Would this still be OK i the vehicle was parked on a slope? Is there enough headroom on entry or the person most likely to be pushing your chair? The vehicle Does it have all the eatures you need? Air conditioning Automatic transmission Electric windows Electrically adjusted wing mirrors Push button hand brake Radio / CD Remote central locking Are driving controls easy to use? Does the vehicle have a well inished robust interior to stop the wheelchair damaging the interior ittings? Is there a convenient place to stow anchoring and other ittings in the vehicle? Are there any optional extras, such as tinted windows or privacy, that are important to you? Travelling Do you have good all round visibility? Are you in the right position to talk to other people in the vehicle with ease? Is the ride comortable, particularly over bumps and going round corners? Is the ventilation, heating or air conditioning adequate or you? Some vehicles have a separate control or the area around the wheelchair. Can you hear the radio or sound system rom your seated position? Flexibility Are there enough passenger seats? Are they large enough? Are they comortable? Can any seats be olded out o the way to increase the lexibility o the vehicle? Can any seats be removed and easily put back to increase the lexibility o the vehicle? Can child seats be itted i necessary? Luggage and storage Is there enough storage space? Think about travelling with other people and everyday luggage How would you get luggage in and out o the vehicle with the wheelchair in place? Could a luggage rack or luggage container, or securing devices be itted? Do involve the person who will most regularly be travelling with you in any test drives. 18 checklist
Motability at a glance... You can apply to join the Motability Scheme i you receive the Higher Rate Mobility Component o the Disability Living Allowance or the War Pensioners Mobility Supplement. Our worry ree package includes: insurance road tax breakdown cover servicing and maintenance ree tyres and windscreen repair mileage allowance o 100,000 miles over the ive year agreement Make your choice rom over 4,000 vehicles, including 500 WAVs, rom the major manuacturers and order at your local dealership. You choose the car, we do the rest... Call 0845 456 4566 to ind out more (Calls may be recorded and monitored to improve customer service) I you would like this guide in large print or an alternative ormat, please call 0845 456 4566 Motability Operations City Gate House 22 Southwark Bridge Road London SE1 9HB Customer Helpline: 0845 456 4566 Minicom (textphone or the dea or hard o hearing): 0845 675 0009 www.motability.co.uk Motability Operations Limited is the Principle Service Provider to Motability and the Motability Scheme. Registered oice: City Gate House, 22 Southwark Bridge Road, London SE1 9HB. Registered in England and Wales. Company No. 1373876 Issue date: 04/09 designed by orbital: www.orbital.co.uk